Bangalore

Town Hall

Bangalore, the capital of the Indian state Karnataka, is often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India". It has a booming IT industry and the city is expanding at a fast rate. Housing and commercial projects are coming up everywhere.

Bangalore has a population of around 6 million.
From the visitor's point of view, there's nothing much to do in Bangalore, a fair place to eat and relax for a day before going to the real gems of South India.

SIGHTS
Many people visit Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. There are two museums adjoined at Cubbon Park too.
One good idea is roaming around MG Rd, Church St and Brigade Road in the evening. It's very crowded on Sundays.

There are several churches in unassuming areas such as the one near Museum Rd, near UB City, in Cambridge (near the Sai Baba Temple) etc.

Some temples:
Shiva Temple (Old Airport Rd)
Sai Baba Temple (Cambridge Layout)
Jain Temple (Devanhalli)

UB CITY
This is a lovely hangout on a weekend afternoon which attracts many locals and foreigners alike. It is a type of a mall, with a kind of Italian ambiance on Vitthal Mallya Rd. Check the Wikipedia link to get a better idea.  It has many top designers and brands among other great shopping destinations. There is a big parking lot there.

ACCOMMODATION
There are many hotels in Bangalore and many resorts on the outskirts too, like Taj Kuteeram.

For the average tourist, a great location would be the area around Airport Rd/MG Road. Hotels here include The Park (rooms however are pretty cramped).

On Racecourse Rd, try the excellent Taj West End.

FOOD
Bangalore is a nice place to eat in, at least for locals.
There are many restaurants on 100Ft and 80Ft Rds, Indiranagar including La Italia (Formerly Little Italy), La Vigna, Barbeque Nation, Highnote etc.

There are many in UB City also like Shiro's, Fava etc. Malls have an increasing number of restaurants apart from food courts as well. Head around MG rd, Church St etc for restaurants as well.

TRANSPORT
The airport is in Devanahalli,  1 hr 30 min or so in working hours and 1 hr in the dead of the night and early morning from Airport Rd/MG Rd.

MALLS BY AREA (This list is not exhaustive.)
MALLESHWARAM
Mantri Square- one of the biggest ones in the city, it is hopelessly crowded during weekend (more than other malls).
Orion Mall- in Brigade Gateway near Sheraton Hotel. Has a good outdoor seating area, seemingly inspired by Dubai Mall's fountain area.

CENTRAL BANGALORE
UB City- check above.
Garuda- on Magrath Rd.
One MG Rd- on Ulsoor Road- has a good hypermarket called Foodhall.

KORAMANGLA
Forum

WHITEFIELD
Forum Value Mall
Phoenix Marketcity
Park Square

BANNERGHATA ROAD
Royal Meenakshi Mall

Safety
In tourist areas you should use normal precautions. Don't walk in desolate areas and be wary if using a 3-wheeler, called an +auto+. Even locals have complaints against these. Before sitting in, ask if they will use the meter or not. If they don't agree on using the meter, fix a fare before getting in.

Photos

Flower Show at Lalbagh

Flower show at Lalbagh

Lalbagh